Newark ex-Mayor Sharpe James has a court date with destiny

Patti Sapone/The Star-LedgerSharpe James, the former mayor of Newark, outside his home today at 7:15 a.m. He is scheduled to be sentenced today on federal corruption charges.

Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James is due in federal court this morning for sentencing on corruption charges that could put him behind bars for a decade.

The former Democratic powerbroker and his co-defendant, Tamika Riley, are scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge William Martini at 10 a.m. in Newark.

Prosecutors contend James deserves as much as 20 years in prison for arranging the sale of lucrative city land to Tamika Riley, his onetime mistress. Defense attorneys have pleaded for leniency, saying any significant prison term would be a "lifelong sentence" for the 72-year-old James.

A jury convicted the pair in April, concluding Riley got preferential treatment because of her ties to James and the mayor had a duty to disclose their relationship before signing city contracts selling the properties.

The judge signaled last week that the prosecutors' request was too harsh, and said that even the 12-1/2 to 15 1/2-year prison term recommended by probation officials was "a stretch."

But the judge also hasn't openly embraced the defense's contention that James deserves leniency because of his age, his career in public service and the impact of the conviction on his family.

Riley, 39, a publicist from Jersey City, was also found guilty of tax evasion and lying about her income to collect housing subsidies. She could face 8 to 10 years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines.